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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1 |
I'm currently singing/ playing guitar for a living mostly to nursing/convalescent homes. I'd love to have accompanyment and after seeing and hearing BIAB 2009.5 demo I'm drooling to get it but I need to check first to see how "easy" it is to really use and can it simply play with me by adding a laptop to my mixer. I am a guitar player with limited computer point and click skills...i don't even have a usb port on my yamaha mixer for a computer. I don't have a laptop either so I'd need to find out if windows or mac makes a difference other than personal preference. I currently have windows xp simple home computer.
welcome all replys
thanks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096 |
Welcome, We have a number of players here who travel the Retirement Village circuit. Ask yourself this, will you performance be enhanced with the addition of drums, piano and bass. If the answer is yes then you should begin the process. Your connection between tlhe laptop and your mixer will be simple audio cables from the headpone out jack of the laptop to the board. If you have a home PC then you will want a laptop PC. The home PC will be where you lay out all your arrangements. I use a single portabee USB 500 G external dirve so I just move the drive between my laptop and home PC. Teh external drive has the entire BIAB application and all your arrangements in one place. Is it easy? Well it does require some apptitude with software based music applications. And the learning curve can be steep, but given how much it can add, it can be worth the effort. Good Luck,  Dan
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311 |
Of course you could record your backings using BIAB and then put them on a CD - either wave files or high quality mp3s. This way you would not need to take a computer round and it might even be more secure as your computer could crash and need a reboot! Never a good feature during a performance! If you have a minidisc player or ipod then that's another method too.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517 |
I have an entire page explaining how I do it, from the creation of the songs to using them on stage: http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.htmlFeel free to take what you want and leave the rest. Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758 |
in addition to Notes Norton's input user mac on these forums has great proven ideas on biab's use in live performance including the benefits of using the Conductor feature
M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem M3 MacBook Air 16GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537 |
A Mididisc player is the way to go. you can set a Mididisc player to pause. CD's, MP3's Ipod's that I have used you have to hit the stop button between songs. Not good if you are a distance from the player. A foot switch is the key to pause and play. I also have a remote that I can type in any number song I want from a distance. Great for request.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 583
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 583 |
To me, the advantage of using a laptop live with BIAB is that you can edit on the fly, especially when my horn player shows up and prefers different keys to play in. I change them on the spot and the number of choruses, if needed. And for vocals, with the scrolling lyrics, that eliminates a book, stand, light, etc... That's worth a lot. But I wonder, too, what happens if the computer crashes? I'm waiting for the solid state drives to come down in price so I can make it the primary laptop with the other as a backup. I've tried CDs and mp3s, but still prefer the laptop. By the way, my laptop has two audio outputs. Didn't realize that when I got it. I run both outputs through a mixer then into two sets of powered speakers. Talk about a big sound!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537 |
Another good thing. With a Mini-disc player-recorder you can also change keys. But I agree, a computer is the way to go. Maybe having a mini-disc in line as a backup would not hurt.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055
Productor Musical
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Productor Musical
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055 |
Yes, you right. Decision on laptop running BIAB or players (mini disk, mp3/mp4 players, iPOD, etc) depend of type of live performance and even of music styles. Some live shows or gigs don´t let you much room for change anything, if you must stick to scheduled time, you have go song after song, for example, radio or TV, band competition or even a live recording that is ideal scenario for backing tracks playing from a mini disk or any player of your choice. "Band in a Laptop" is great if you need to change keys, styles,lyrics, tempo, number of chorus (jazz soloists with modal attitude  ) or even to select songs on fly, the ideal way for take adventage of outstanding BIAB live features, specially the Conductor useful tool. I would think of both things, BIAB running live in my laptop and my show songs backup "canned" in my iPOD or CD.
Gabriel Arellano,
Nucleox Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
My .02
Using BIAB live has many advantages such as being able to change the key, tempo, style, choruses, etc. Being able to switch drums from sticks to brushes 'on the fly' has been a lifesaver for me on many occasions. I still bring a MP3 player with my songs in case of a computer failure but have not needed it yet (Knock on wood). One time, BIAB lost it ability to play audio so I had to switch from RealDrums to Midi. I was not happy but got through. A System Restore after the gig brought the audio back.
A disadvantage is when using RealTracks. They take about 8 - 10 seconds per RT to generate. If you use several in a song, you can do the math. To speed up the process you can 'Freeze' the song, which makes an audio file. The song will load and play instantly, regardless of the number of RTs. However, once frozen, the advantages mentioned above don't apply.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758 |
rachel Quote:
Being able to switch drums from sticks to brushes 'on the fly' has been a lifesaver for me on many occasions.
how do you switch drums from sticks to brushes 'on the fly'
M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem M3 MacBook Air 16GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
I just have several arrangements of the same song - sticks or brushes or both. I use my own customized styles that have a/b as brushes and c/d as sticks. Depending on the audience and noise level, I choose the one that fits best.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
I just have several arrangements of the same song - sticks or brushes or both. I use my own customized styles that have a/b as brushes and c/d as sticks. Depending on the audience and noise level, I choose the one that fits best.
R
That's what I do also. I keep both songs in the same folder for a set, but mark one by including a "-br" for brushkit at the end of the songtitle.
In this case, "on the fly" doesn't mean in the middle of a song that's already playing...
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055
Productor Musical
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Productor Musical
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055 |
I can note "on the fly" is the right wording acceptance instead "on fly" I was using. Thanks. Despite I have many years trying to improve my english, always there is something new to learn and fix, therefore, and please! any advise or correction is always welcome.
Gabriel Arellano,
Nucleox Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
You are doing it well, mi amigo.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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